Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state Chapter, Most Reverend Dr Bulus Dauwa

Urges Governor Bago not sign bill into law

Warns of consequences

From John Adams, Minna

With barely two weeks after the passage of the controversial Hisbah law passed by the Niger State House of Assembly, awaiting assent by the state governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state chapter has issued a stem warning of the consequences of signing the bill into law in a secular state like Niger.

CAN in a strong warded letter to the governor title “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state say no to Hisbah law” and signed by the Chairman, Most Reverend Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Minna on Sunday, told the governor that the Hisbah law if signed into law, will easily create division amongst the people he governs.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state Chapter, Most Reverend Dr Bulus Dauwa

While questioning the motives behind the Hisbah law in a peaceful secular state like Niger, the CAN Chairman said, “Why Hisbah law in Niger? What is the aim? Of what benefit is it to our people economically and socially? Do they (lawmakers) realize that Christians will not be subjected to Hisbah law?”.

He condemned the passage of the bill by the state house of assembly without looking at the consequences, stressing that “As a matter of urgency, we call on the Speaker and other members of the State House of Assembly to drop the Bill except their aim is to incite and or anger a major group of people”.

Reverend Bulus Dauwa described as a naked lies and unfortunate, the claim by Chairman of the joint House Committees on Religious Affairs, Judiciary and Legal Matters, Hon. Isah Muhammad Etsugaie, representing Agaie constituency that the Bill was subjected to public hearing involving critical stakeholders, saying that no such public hearing took place and if at all, not with the knowledge of CAN.

“It is so unfortunate that the Chairman of the joint Committee Hon. Isah Muhammad Etsugaie after presenting the report of the House Committees on Religious Affairs and Judiciary and Legal Matters at the plenary of the House in Minna claimed they conducted a public hearing involving critical stakeholders.

“For the records, we, (CAN) as a Body were neither invited nor notified of such public hearing meant for critical stakeholders which obviously further indicates the segregation of Christians in sensitive matters in the state”.

He therefore urged the governor that the Niger State Hisbah Directorates Bill sponsored by the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar is a controversial Bill that should not be assented to by the Executive arm of Government.

The CAN Chairman reminded the governor that Niger state is not predominantly a Muslim State, “therefore we should look beyond religious divides and focus on our unity rather than what can easily divide us as a people.

“I want to call on our dear Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago that for the interest of peace and unity of the state, not to sign and pass the Bill into law.

“And for the Members of the State House of Assembly, I urge you to think of better things to do for our people and not to sit and move for controversial laws that will cause unrest in the State.

“By now, we should be thinking of what can strengthen our relationship and unity, and not to use religion as a tool”.

He further reminded the governor that during the elections, Christians voted for him without religious bias and did not vote for him to be meted by a controversial law that will cause disaffection amongst the people.

While further questioning the benefits of the Hisbah law to the people being ravaged by insecurity, he maintained that since the advent of Shari’a law in the state in 2001,

“our dear State has suffered economically with businesses packed up, investors and various businessmen and businesswomen relocated to other States where they are thriving and those States have developed economically.

“Niger state is religiously a mixed State, and such law can only further buttress facts that there is truly marginalisation of Christians and the Bill can only be perceived as a tool for persecution of our people.

“We understand that Hisbah in Nigeria refers to state-backed religious Police, primarily in Northern Nigeria, tasked with enforcing Sharia law and monitor compliance with Islamic norms.

“We have the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Vigilante Groups and other recognized groups with constitutional powers to operate”, adding that “our leaders and lawmakers should be sensitive and think of what can add value to our state and the people”.

He therefore called on well meaning people of the state irrespective of their religion, tribe or political affiliation to add their voices so that this controversial Bill does not become a law which from all intent and purpose, can only create friction in the daily lives of non Muslims in the State. (The Sun)